Order Flowers

Ordering flowers from our site ensures that your order will reach us or the family in a timely manner, and your gesture of support will remain acknowledged in the Book of Memories for future generations. We only work with local florists so we can maintain the sense of urgency and quality of your selections. We thank you for helping to support the family during their time of need, and will fondly remember your kind gesture.

Selecting Funeral Products

Now that you made the vital decision regarding burial or cremation for your loved one, you need to choose the funeral products involved with your choice.

When you choose burial, you’ll need to select a casket, and depending on the regulations of the cemetery, you may need to select a burial vault. If your preference was cremation, then you will need to choose a cremation container and urn. You may also wish to consider keepsake urns and jewelry which are designed to hold a portion of the cremated remains.

When we meet with you to plan the cremation or burial, we will talk about personalization pieces and memorialization products. Below is a link to some of the products that we have available. If you do not see exactly what you are looking for, please let us know. We have been helping families personalize their farewells for years, and chances are we will know where we can find what you are looking for.

Caskets

Caskets are typically wood, cloth covered wood or metal. There are also environmentally friendly options such as bamboo. Many of the caskets can be customized to pay a fitting tribute to your loved one.

Burial Vaults

Outer burial vaults are suggested to prevent the settling of the grave site, and to facilitate grounds maintenance. Some families choose to protect the casket and safeguard their loved one’s remains through the purchase of a burial vault that encases the casket.

In Calgary, Eden Brook Memorial Gardens and Mountain View Memorial Gardens are the only two cemeteries that mandate a minimal concrete liner for all casket burials.

Burial vaults range from the standard unlined concrete burial vault, which serves as basic protection from the weight of the earth and equipment; to lined burial vaults, which add protection against moisture.

Cremation Containers

When you choose cremation, a traditional casket is not required, however the body does need to be placed in a sturdy, combustible container. The cremation container serves the purpose of holding the physical body for the cremation process. If you choose to have a viewing or funeral service with the body present prior to the cremation, you may decide to rent a traditional casket for the event. All of our cremation packages include a basic cremation container, however you can choose an alternate container if you wish, at an additional cost.

Cremation Urns

After cremation occurs, the cremated remains will be placed into a container to hold the remains. This container is known as an urn. All of our cremation packages include a basic plastic urn. This container is perfect for keeping the cremated remains for a short time, prior to a scattering ceremony. However, you may wish to purchase a more permanent, personalized or elegant cremation urn:

If you plan to have a memorial service where the cremated remains will be present

If you plan to inter the remains in a columbarium niche where the urn will be visible

If you wish to keep the cremated remains in a place of honour at home

Urns are made of numerous materials generally in categories of hardwood, metal or stone. We also offer a selection of unique, temporary urns,and biodegradable urns for those choosing to scatter. There are also miniature keepsake urns which will hold a token portion of the cremated remains, a lock of hair, or earth from the grave site. Cremation jewelry is also available and options include jewelry that will hold a small amount of the cremated remains, or offer memorialization including a fingerprint of your loved one.

Bringing Your Loved One’s Personality into the Service

The funeral or memorial service you plan for a loved one can be as personal as you wish it to be. Many families find great comfort in turning their thoughts inward for a time, to consider the personality, interests, and achievements of their loved one. It may be helpful to think of one or two words describing any of the following things about your loved one:

Personal characteristics

Passions, interests, and hobbies

Lifetime Achievements

Favourite music, sport, colour

Why he / she was unique

You may also wish to consider:

The special memories you wish to share, or highlight at the service

The important people you’d like to note or include

How you’d like to personalize elements of the ceremony, such as the music, prayers, tributes, eulogies, readings, poems, etc.

Once you've given thought to the unique life and personality of the person who died, it's time to incorporate those memories into the funeral plan. Be creative as you, together with your family, friends, Funeral Director and the person who will lead the service, brainstorm how to remember and honour this special person.

A good way to personalize the funeral is to personalize the common elements of funeral ceremonies:

The visitation

The eulogy

The music

The readings

The procession

The committal service

The gathering or reception

Considering Memorialization?

Just what is involved in memorializing a loved one? Certainly, it’s probably not within your power to build something like the Taj Mahal in their honour. Yet, there are wonderful things you can do to memorialize your loved one and ensure they are remembered and honoured.

Being memorialized is in keeping with two basic human needs, the desire to remember, and to be remembered. So, how would your loved one like to be remembered?

Perhaps they would choose something small and private, such as a birdbath, sundial or garden bench. Or, maybe you think they would prefer having a tree, or trees, planted in their name.

You may simply choose to create an online memorial in their honour, such as our Book of Memories™, where you can include a video tribute, as well as an archive of treasured photographs. The book of memories is included in all of our service packages.

Whether large or small, there are many memorialization options –in all price ranges– that can help you say your final goodbyes and remember the life of someone you loved.

If you have questions or would like to explore your options, please contact us.